As Hurricane Sandy Approaches, WPD Will Keep You Informed

Type: announcements

There are many ways to stay informed through local media outlets and websites online as Hurricane Sandy approaches the Northeast. One of the more notable, and official, websites is from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, or

To stay informed about events on going in Wellesley, both during the upcoming hurricane and every day, make sure you’ve signed up for the Wellesley Police Department’s Community Notification Service, follow us on Twitter, go to our Facebook page, and of course, check this website. We will keep you updated on flooding, road conditions, and any major power outages that may be ongoing. The Wellesley Police Department has partnered with the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) to keep residents updated on the estimated time to repair for any power loss that may occur.

By signing up for the notification system, you can also receive text alerts to your phone. So even if your power is out, you will still be able to be “in the know” about Wellesley. One of our biggest priorities is to keep citizens up to date, pro actively.

Here is a summary of the notification options and categories that are available to you. There is no cost for this service, and the alerts come directly from the Wellesley Police Department.

Website Updates: NEWSROOM/PUBLIC INFORMATION: Subscribers can receive any update that we post on our website in an email direct to their inbox.

Traffic Updates: Any updates regarding traffic issues that are posted on the website, including construction, expected future road closures, and traffic delays.

WPD News and Announcements: Any article that is posted on the website, including press releases, Wellesley Police news, and ongoing incidents.

Sex Offender Information: Any updates that are posted on the website concerning updates on known sex offenders, or announcements regarding sex offenders living or working in Wellesley. This category also has a mobile update option, with which the user can choose to also receive a text message to a cell phone.

Citywatch Phone Notification: Any messages sent out by telephone using the Wellesley Police Department's Citywatch phone notification system. The message will also be posted our website and users can receive an email message if they are not at home. This category also allows users to receive a text alert.

Employment Opportunities: Job openings at the Wellesley Police Department, including any test dates for the position of police officer or emergency communication center dispatcher.

Important (Emergency) Alerts: Breaking Wellesley Police Department news including emergency alerts and important information that residents need to know. All of these alerts are available to be sent to both an email inbox and a text alert to your cell phone. The categories include the following:

Traffic Alerts: Road closures, significant traffic accidents, traffic delays, and anything else having to do with traffic situations in Wellesley.

Crime Alerts: Significant and serious crimes that occur in Wellesley. This category can include anything from home break-ins to bank robberies. A must have category if you want to know about serious crimes as they happen.

Emergency Alerts: This category includes any serious emergencies that occur in Wellesley.

WPD Community Alerts: Information that the Wellesley Police Department wants you to know in a timely fashion.

Weather Alerts: When a significant weather warning or watch is issued by the National Weather Service for Wellesley, the Wellesley Police Department will rebroadcast it to ensure that you receive it.

Power/Utility Alerts: When the power goes out, the Wellesley Police Department's emergency communication center is often flooded with calls from citizens wanting to know why the power is out, and of course, when the power is going to come back on. These calls often take valuable time away from dispatchers who are often already dealing with emergency calls. This category will keep citizens updated on estimated time of repair, and keep emergency lines free for calls.

School Cancellation Alerts: When the Wellesley Public Schools are canceled due to poor weather or unforeseen circumstances, find out directly with an alert from the Wellesley Police Department!

These alerts are all cross posted to our Facebook page and Twitter accounts (Follow us on Twitter @WellesleyPolice and @WPDPhoto).